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' E. ,KAPKL PIRE ESCAPE.v K No. 291,19. Patented an. 111-884.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets- Sheet 2 Y H. KAFKA.

' FIRE ESCAPE.

No. 291,198. l PatentedJemi l, v18841.

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ATTORNEYS NJPETERS. Pmbmnognpiur. waar-'nm DJ:

vUivrrnn STATES Partnr Ormea.,

HUGO KAFKA, OF NEW' YORK, N. Y.

Fl RE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.' 291,198, dated January1, 1884. Application filed July 20,283. (No model.)

fb @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HUGO Karim, of the city, county, and State of NewYork, have in vented certain new and useful Improvements inFire-Escapes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to an improved iire-escape that ispermanently attached to the buildings, and which has, besides, a veryornamental character, so as to be applicable in all cases in which acommon iire-escape would be highly objectionable.

rI`he invention consists of ladders which connect the balconies of theseveral stories, and are covered by panels of lattice-work arranged infront of and parallel to the ladders, the cross-ribs of the panels beingarranged at a level, or nearly so, with the rungs of the ladders. Thepanels of latticeworl; extend, also, at a suitable angle to the ladders,so as to form a screen and guard-rail for the same.

rIhe invention consists, further, of certain details of construction,which will be described hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l represents a front elevation of abuilding with my improved lire-escape. Fig. 2 is a vertical transversesection of the same. Figs. 3 and l are detail vertical transversesections of a balcony and connecting-ladders, and Figs. 5 and 6 areplans of Figs. 3 and fl.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A in the drawings represents balconies of ornamental cast-iron work,arranged for the several stories of the building. The balconies A A aresupported on brackets B B, which are firmly anchored into the wall ofthe building. The balconies are connected at their ends by vertical orinclined ladders C, that are either placed at right angles to or parallel with the wall of the building and that communicate with openingsc a in the balconies A A. To hide the ladders C, panels C', ofornamental lattice-work, are arranged in front of the ladders andadditional panels, G2, of lattice-work at suitable angles to the former,which panels form a body of lattice-work that has the appearance ofpillars supporting the balconies, as shown in Fig. 1. The panels G serveas a screen for the ladders, while the panels C2 serve as a guard-railfor the persons descend -ing on the vertical ladders C, so that they areprevented from getting dizzy and from falling from the ladder. Thecross-ribs of the panels C C2 are so located relatively to the rungs 0fthe ladders that they are on a level, or nearly so, with the rungs, asshown in Figs. 3 and 4, whereby they form an additional support for thefeet.

Instead of conducting the escape-ladders C lin one continuous iiightthrough the balconies,

I prefer to break the same into sections and arrange one section closeto the wall of the building and the next below farther away from thewall, next to the front railing of the balcony, by which arrangementparties descending are compelled when arriving on the balconies to stepsidewise on the balcony to the opening a and the ladder leading to thenext balcony below, whereby they are prevented from seeing the personsfollowing them from above, and have always a closed balconyfloor insight below them.

The front lattice-work, G2, may also be used as a ladder in case ofneed, though in most cases this would not be required, as twoladders-one at each end of the balcony-are sufficient for the escape ofthe persons in danger.

Afire-escape constructed according to my improved method can be appliedafter the building is completed, or while the same is in course oferection ,and presents an ornamental appearance, especially when itsdesign is in keeping with the architecture of the building. It forms asubstitute for the unsightly nre-escape ladders generally in use, andcan be used in a convenient manner and without any danger, not only bygrown persons, but also by women and children. rllhe ladders and screensalso give additional strength and rigidity to the balcony-railings, asthe latter are secured to the ladders and panels at different points.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent- 1. An Vimproved fire-escape for buildings, consistingof balconies for the severa-l stories, ladders connecting the same, andpanels of lattice-work arranged in front of and parallel to the ladders,the cross-ribs of the panels being arranged at a level, or nearly so,with the rungs of the ladder, substantially as set forth.

IOO

2. An improved fire-escape for buildings, consisting of balconies forthe several stories,

Comui unicating alternately with said openings, and panels oflattice-Work arranged 1n front ladders connecting the balconies, andpanels of and at a suitable angle to the ladders, so

of lattice-Work extending` in front of and at suitable angles to theladders, so as to form a screen and guard-rail for the same,substantially as set forth.

3. An improved re-escape for buildings, consisting of balconies for theseveral stories, said balconies having an opening or openingsalternately closer to or farther from the Wall of the building, laddersmade in sections and as to form a screen and railing for the same,substantially as set forth.

In testimonyr that I claim the foregoing as my invention YI have signedmy name in pres ence of two subscribing Witnesses.

HUGO KAFKA.

Witnesses:

CARL Kimr, SIDNEY MA NN.

